Tools

Talich Quartet with Orion Weiss, piano

Leo Janáek's "String Quartet No. 1" is based on a tense Leo Tolstoy novella called Kreutzer Sonata. Censored in its time for its intensity, Tolstoy's work is itself based on a Beethoven violin sonata and tells the story of a jealous man who kills his wife. Janáek's tribute capably recounts some of its psychodrama. The renowned Talich Quartet presents this stormy work, as well as pieces by fellow Czechs Dvoák and Martin. American pianist Orion Weiss joins the Talich for Martin's "Fantasie and Toccata," as well as Dvoák's second piano quintet. —Chris Vitiello